1The police — the public institution responsible for maintaining public order, investigating crime, and responding to accidents.
交通事故が起きたので、すぐに警察を呼んだ。
A traffic accident happened, so I called the police right away.
財布を落としたので、警察に届け出た。
I lost my wallet, so I reported it to the police.
警察はその事件を詳しく調べている。
The police are investigating that case in detail.
夜遅くに一人で歩くときは、何かあったらすぐ警察に連絡してください。
If you're walking alone late at night, contact the police immediately if anything happens.
2A colloquial abbreviation of 警察官, referring to an individual police officer.
現場に警察が駆けつけた。
A police officer rushed to the scene.
制服姿の警察が交差点に立っていた。
A uniformed police officer was standing at the intersection.
3A colloquial abbreviation of 警察署, referring to a police station.
落とし物は近くの警察に届けてください。
Please turn in lost items at the nearby police station.
免許の更新は警察でできる。
You can renew your driver's license at the police station.
4A colloquial, somewhat mocking suffix for someone who obsessively polices others' behavior over a specific rule or standard, e.g. "manners police."
SNSでは、ちょっとした言葉遣いにも文句をつける言葉警察がいる。
On social media, there are "language police" who criticize even minor wording choices.
彼はオフィスの整理整頓に厳しくて、みんなから整理警察と呼ばれている。
He's strict about tidying up the office, so everyone calls him the "cleanliness police."